2015 Subaru WRX / WRX STI Spy Photos

This prototype disappoints with its looks—hopefully it's just a powertrain mule.

What It Is: This camouflaged Subaru prototype is one of three things: a non-WRX, sporty Impreza variant; a thinly disguised and production-ready next-gen WRX or WRX STI; or a mule created to test the WRX’s powertrain and cooling. We hope the final option is the case, as it appears to combine a standard Impreza sedan body with fascias previewed by the super-hot WRX concept.

Why It Matters: The WRX and its STI sibling are affordable, high-performance, all-wheel-drive turbocharged rally rockets, and the pair have long been enthusiast darlings. But if these spy photos do in fact show a nearly production-ready 2014 WRX—well, let’s just say we’d be very sad pandas. Subaru had stated that the concept was a solid indication of where the production WRX would go, and the claim seemed more than plausible given that the WRX will ditch its association with the Impreza and get a unique platform. Plainly stated, this car doesn’t look like the show car. Of course, Subaru has played this game before, launching the delectable Impreza concept at the 2012 L.A. show in advance of the far dowdier production model.

The headlight design and big hexagonal grille on this car match those of the concept, but it otherwise is essentially a current-generation Impreza sedan with a giant wing swiped from today’s STI and an intake on the hood. The prototype’s key dimensions seem to shadow those of the Impreza, and it doesn’t appear as though any of the economy sedan’s hard points were changed here, which would let some of the air out of the “unique platform” balloon. Subaru has, however, previously tested the next WRX’s powertrain in Impreza duds. Companies do this all the time—we recently spotted the next Lincoln MKS sedan hiding under a raggedy, stretched Ford Fusion body.

Platform: As we first reported almost two years ago, the WRX and STI will sit on a unique chassis apart from the Impreza’s, and we still expect that to be the case. Traditionally, the WRX has been a hotter Impreza, but divorcing the nameplates allows Subaru to better target the cars at their intended audiences. If indeed the prototype pictured here is simply a test bed, and the production car follows the formula laid down by the WRX concept, expect a longer wheelbase—but with a similar overall length—a lower roof, and more pumped-out fenders. The outgoing model is available in five-door form as well as a sedan, and the former body style remains a possibility for the 2015.

Powertrain: When discussing the 2014 WRX and WRX STI’s powertrain, just four words (plus some hyphens, two digits, and a decimal point) are necessary: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Expect the forced-induction four to make around 300 horsepower—a little less in the WRX, a bit more in the STI—and those ponies will be routed to all four wheels via Subaru’s signature all-wheel-drive system. A manual transmission may be the sole transmission choice, although Subaru could offer a CVT if it’s feeling sadistic. Don’t be so shocked: A JDM Legacy powered by the same turbo four offers a high-torque-capacity CVT, and Subaru has sold automatic-equipped WRXs and STIs in other markets.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Look for the WRX to appear within a year, probably as a 2015 model. We expect it to sport a higher price, likely justified by its separation from the workaday Impreza. Let’s just hope any bump is minor from the agreeable $26,565 sticker slapped on the current WRX.